Herb buying guide
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Guide written on 6 February 2024 by:
John, Passionate gardener, Cambridge
Important features
- Perennial
- Sun exposure and soil type
- Characteristics of common herbs
- Annual and biennial
Different types of herbs
Herbs are aromatic plants with at least one edible part – usually the leaves! Used to add flavour to food, these plants are easy to grow in the garden or in planters and pots, provided that you meet the individual needs of each plant.
Herbs are generally categorised according to how often they flower and their overall lifespan. There are two basic types of herbs: annual and biennial plants, and perennials.
Annual and biennial herbs
Annual plants only last one season from sowing to harvest. Basil is a good example of an annual herb. Biennial plants tend only to produce leaves in their first year before going to seed in the second and eventually dying off (parsley and chervil, for example).
If the leaves are what you are after in these plants, it's best to sow them every year as you would any annual plant as the leaves of these plants lose a lot of their taste in their second year.
Perennial plants
Perennial plants live for a number of years. They can be woody, like bay leaves, and generally feature evergreen leaves. Otherwise, they can be non-woody, but will still be able to live out the winter underground in the form of a bulb, tuber, or rhizome. Chives and mint are good examples of perennial herbs.
Pots and planters
Sunshine and soil requirements for herbs
There is a wide range of different types of herbs to choose from. Be sure to pick plants that are suited to the climate where you live and the type of soil you have. Pick a spot that leaves enough room for the plant to mature and grow.
As a general rule, the soil should be aerated and well draining – even when it comes to plants that prefer a bit more moisture. While most herbs require a sunny spot, some can get by with partial shade (parsley, for example). With that in mind, it's entirely possible to grow different plants in the same planter. Place a planter in full sun and the taller plants will create shade for smaller plants that prefer partial shade.
Planter
Characteristics of common herbs
In cooking, we use far fewer herbs than we do other ingredients. It's important to keep that in mind when sowing or planting. Rather than buying a big bag of seeds – most of which will never get used – you may be better off purchasing a single young plant in a pot.
Plant | Propagation method | Life cycle | Exposure | Soil type | Edible parts | Main uses |
Dill | Direct sow in April - May | Annual | Direct sun, sheltered from the wind | Cool, well drained | Fresh leaves | Fish |
Basil | Sow in pots in April or plant in May | Annual | Direct sun, sheltered from the wind | Slightly moist, rich in humus | Fresh leaves | Pesto, tomato salad |
Chervil | Direct sow in May | Annual | Direct sun or partial shade | Any kind of well-drained, cool soil | Young fresh leaves | Salad, omelettes, soups |
Chives | Sow in March-April | Perennial | Direct sun | Any type of well-drained soil | Fresh leaves | Salad, omelettes, steamed vegetables |
Coriander | Sow in spring or September | Annual | Direct sun | Any type of soil | Fresh leaves and seeds | Salad and fish, soups |
Tarragon | Sow in spring | Perennial | Direct sun or partial shade | Light and well-drained soil, rich in humus | Young, fresh leaves | Eggs, chicken, various cold sauces |
Bay leaves | Plant directly in the ground | Perennial (shrub) | Direct sun | Any type of soil | Dried or fresh leaves | Sauces, stock |
Mint | Sow in spring, divide plant regularly | Perennial | Direct sun or partial shade | Cool soil enriched with compost | Fresh or dried leaves | Tabouleh, drinks |
Parsley | Sow or plant from March to September | Biennial | Partial shade | Cool and light soil, rich in humus | Leaves and stem | Raw vegetables, omelettes, sautéed vegetables |
Rosemary | Sow in the spring | Perennial (shrub) | Direct sun, sheltered from frost | Dry, preferably limestone | Young leaves, fresh or dry | Sauces, baked or grilled fish |
Sage | Sow in the spring, divide plant regularly | Perennial | Direct sun | Dry or even very dry soil | Fresh or dried leaves | Sauces (pork, lamb, etc.) |
Thyme | Sow in the spring | Perennial (shrub) | Direct sun | Dry soil, preferably limestone | Fresh or dried leaves | Grilled meats, stock, meats with sauces |
Savory | Sow in March in pots or April in the ground | Annual or perennial | Direct sun | Dry soil | Fresh or dry leaves | Grilled meats, stews, ragouts |
Planting
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Guide written by:
John, Passionate gardener, Cambridge
When I was young, I was already working in the family garden. Perhaps that is where my interest in plants and gardening came from. So, it was logical for me to study plant biology. At the request of various publishers I have, over twenty-five years, written many books on the subject of plants and mushrooms (a subject that is close to my heart). They were mostly identification guides at first, but shortly after they were about gardening, thus renewing the first passion of my childhood. I have also regularly collaborated with several magazines specialising in the field of gardening or more generally in nature. There is no gardener without a garden, I have cultivated mine in a small corner of Cambridge for the last thirty years and this is where I put into practice the methods of cultivation that will I advise you in as well.
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